LULING, Texas — On any other day, Luling, Texas is a small Texas town of a couple thousand people, but in late June, the famous Watermelon Thump brings people from all over for some good ol' fashioned spittin’.

Since 1954, Luling has been host to the Watermelon Thump, a four-day festival celebrating all things watermelon. Founded by Hermon Allen, Allen was a school principal who proposed the idea of a celebration to honor the growers and promote Luling’s watermelon market.

After a naming contest was held, “thump" took the win. Its name comes from the practice of thumping to test whether a watermelon is ripe — merely thump the top of the melon and listen to the sound. Dull thud means ripe, whereas a hollow sound means it’s not ready.

This year's festival runs June 21-24. The event features music, vendors, a carnival, a car show and ALL OF THE WATERMELON. We recommend the seed-spitting contest that comes with a prize of $500. The record distance is 68 feet, 9 and 1/8 inches set in 1989 by Lee Wheells of Luling. Show them what you've got! 

For more information, visit watermelonthump.com.